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Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

The Yorkshire Museum

Name: The Yorkshire Museum
Address: Museum Gardens, York, YO17FR, GB
Telephone: 01904 687687
Price range: £
Rating: 4.3

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The Yorkshire Museum

The Yorkshire Museum houses 5 galleries showcasing some of Britain’s finest archaeological treasure. Find out more: www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk
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The Yorkshire Museum sits in the heart of the York Museum Gardens in the centre of York. The museum was opened in 1830 by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society and was one of the first purpose-built museums in the country. On 1 August 2010, the museum reopened following a nine-month £2 million refurbishment project. The museum houses five galleries showcasing some of Britain’s finest archaeological

treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils, in exciting displays with changing exhibitions. There are also regular events, lectures and activities to enjoy.

26/08/2026

An ancient doggo was here! 🐶

This , we’re taking a closer look at a fascinating Roman tile tomb, dating from AD 120–410, which was discovered near Tadcaster in 1833.

The tiles once covered the remains of a funeral pyre following cremation. Beneath them were skeletal remains, along with iron nails from the shoes worn by the deceased.

Many of the tiles are stamped “LEG VI V”, marking the Sixth ‘Victorious’ Legion – the Roman army unit stationed in York.

But look closely… One of the tiles also bears the unmistakable paw prints of a curious dog who wandered across the clay before it was fired! 🐾 👀

22/08/2026

On this day in 1485, King Richard III fell at the Battle of Bosworth - the last English king to die in battle. ⚔️

This coin in our collection depicts the king’s likeness. It was minted in the city of London and reads: RICARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC - "Richard, by the Grace of God, King of England and France."

If you look closely, you can spot a ‘sun and rose’ decoration at the top of the coin. This was a joint symbol of the Plantagenet and Yorkist houses, highlighting his house's royal lineage and claim to the throne. 👑

21/08/2026

New display! ✨

Discover our new foyer display exploring stycas, a unique type of low-value copper-alloy coin produced in 9th-century York, then the capital of the Anglian Kingdom of Northumbria.

The display is based on the PhD research of Dr Lucy Moore, who worked with the Yorkshire Museum’s numismatic collection to explore how these coins were made, used and circulated — revealing that they travelled much further than previously thought.

📍You can find the display in the museum foyer.

19/08/2026

What a lovely first Evening in the Gardens! ☀️

Don't miss the next event on Friday 28 August - see the post below for details 👇

11/08/2026

Spend a summer evening in the Gardens! ☀️

Experience York Museum Gardens after hours this August, with exclusive access to one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces.💚

Take a leisurely stroll through the historic grounds, soak up the atmosphere with ambient music, and enjoy delicious street food and drinks as the sun goes down.
Your ticket even includes a complimentary cocktail on arrival. 🍸

The perfect summer evening with friends, a date, or simply a chance to unwind.

🗓️ Friday 14 & 28 August 2026
🕡 6.30pm–9.30pm
🎟️ £7.50 per person (includes a complimentary cocktail)
🔞 Suitable for ages 18+

🔗 Book now at: https://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/whats-on/events/evening-in-the-gardens/

📷 Devon Chambers

08/08/2026

Can you spot the Viking lion? 🦁👀

This International Cat Day we’re sharing this beautifully decorated silver-gilt vessel. Adorned with lions and stags, it was discovered by metal detectorists in 2007 as part of the Vale of York Hoard.

Made up of more than 700 pieces of gold and silver jewellery and coins, the hoard is considered the most important Viking discovery in England for more than 150 years.

The Viking owner packed most of the hoard into this beautifully decorated silver-gilt cup. Its decoration suggests it was made in the mid-9th century in the northern part of the Carolingian Empire (modern-day France), where it was commissioned for use in a wealthy monastery.

01/08/2026

It's Yorkshire Day! 💙🤍💛

Here are 5 incredible objects from our collection, all discovered across Yorkshire and helping to tell its story through the ages.

🪖 The York Helmet (8th century) – discovered in York, it's the finest and most complete Anglo-Saxon helmet ever found in Europe.

🦌 The Star Carr Pendant – unearthed at Star Carr in North Yorkshire, it's 11,000 years old and the oldest known example of Mesolithic art in Britain.

⛪ The St Mary's Figure of Christ (13th century) – discovered in York Museum Gardens and thought to have once adorned the magnificent St Mary's Abbey.

👑 Bust of Constantine the Great – this monumental statue once stood at the Roman military headquarters on the site now occupied by York Minster. Constantine was famously proclaimed Emperor in York in AD 306.

💎 The Middleham Jewel – discovered near Middleham in North Yorkshire, this spectacular 15th-century gold pendant is one of the finest pieces of medieval jewellery ever found. It may even have belonged to a relative of King Richard III.

Which object is your favourite? 👇

30/07/2026

For World Friendship Day, this Viking stone cross fragment in our collection shows two figures shaking hands, thought to represent the end of a conflict or disagreement.🤝

But there's a twist. One figure is still holding a sword, suggesting they might not have completely forgiven and forgotten just yet. The other may be wearing a coin purse on their belt. Perhaps, even in Viking times, a special gift might have helped patch things up.😉

Carved between AD 850–900, this fragment has us asking whether these two figures were making peace, or just keeping the peace?

25/07/2026

What's On This Weekend at the Yorkshire Museum 🦖

Looking for something to do in York this weekend? Step into thousands of years of Yorkshire's history with hands-on activities, fascinating discoveries and family adventures at the Yorkshire Museum.

✨ This weekend you can enjoy:

🦖 Dinosaur Backpacks
🌿 Nature Trail
✂️ Make and Play
🏺 Gallery Talks

🎟 Included with museum admission (Nature Trail £1 per sheet).

Better still, your admission ticket is valid for 12 months, so you can come back and enjoy even more summer activities throughout the holidays.

Plan your visit at: https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/summer-at-the-yorkshire-museum-2026/

24/07/2026

Discover thousands of years of history this summer! ☀️

Meet famous historical characters, get creative in family workshops, enjoy daily Make & Play activities, explore with dinosaur backpacks and follow a nature trail through the Museum Gardens.

Plus, don't miss the chance to explore the fascinating Melsonby Hoard, one of the UK's most significant Iron Age discoveries. ✨

Your ticket covers unlimited daytime visits for 12 months, so you can come back again and again!

🔗 Book now at: https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/summer-at-the-yorkshire-museum-2026/

Address

Museum Gardens
York
YO17FR

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

01904 687687

Website

http://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/

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